100 years of health care in Delegate

Around an afternoon tea that is planned to mark the occasion, memories big and small will be shared, stretching back to the first flicker of community spirit in 1907 that has embedded the hospital in this remote Monaro community.

A public meeting in February 1907 started to build the momentum, with the community committing 189 pounds to kick start the fundraising effort.

In October of 1909 a private hospital service was established, but the community’s vision and commitment to a public health service was bigger, with public meetings and fundraising efforts ongoing, in amongst the challenges of World War 1.

Cause for celebration in 1919 with the local managers of Delegate Station receiving approvals from their masters in England to donate five acre of land where a hospital could be built. 

Regular public meetings, planning, and fundraising efforts continued, including the Delegate Cottage Hospital Carnival on Boxing Day, 1925 which featured swimming and running races, a wood chop, horse events and a ‘picture show’ in the Delegate School of Arts.

With the land donation confirmed and fundraising hitting 1800 pounds, tenders were called for the erection of a cottage hospital in February 1926 – the makings of the service we celebrate today.

Around 400 people watched on as the foundation stone was laid in June 1926, with the grand opening of Delegate Cottage Hospital following on Saturday, 28 August, 1926.

The NSW Minister for Health, George Cann performed the ceremony after a grand procession to the hospital grounds. Prizes were awarded for the best decorated car and business, and those wearing ‘comical character’ costumes.

The newspaper advertisement from the Delegate Argus read, 

"We haven’t got a Railway, but we’ve got a Hospital erected on the finest site in New South Wales. Don’t ask the way, you can see it from anywhere. Take the day off and make the Opening of your Hospital."

One hundred years of service and care have followed through drought, war, bushfire, disease outbreaks and more. The constant has been a connection to the community, and a commitment to provide health services to rural communities.

In 2026, as the Delegate Multipurpose Service, we celebrate that pioneering spirit that forged a new health service 100 years ago and acknowledge all those who have made it strong and continue to serve this community.

Looking to the future, the Delegate Multipurpose Service provides care and comfort to the region’s elders, delivering care close to home that empowers healthy aging and maintains links to family and friends and the stunning Delegate landscape.

The service also remains as an important initial point of contact for day-to-day treatment and care, community health and pathology, and acts as a hub that links residents of Delegate and surrounds to specialist services via digital technology

The community is invited to share in the rich history of health care in Delegate with afternoon tea at Delegate Multipurpose Service on Friday 28 August 2026 at 2pm.

A time capsule will be opened, dating back to the original hospital, plus 100 years of memories will be shared including:

• Patients being evacuated to the hotel as bushfire threatened. 
• A nurse’s shortage in 1952 because “four of the six nurses…had become engaged.”
• The hospital grounds being opened to sheep grazing in 1964 for the fee of 1 pound per week.
• Scarlet fever in 1965 with 300 people treated in a day.
• Hepatitis and encephalitis in 1966 with Delegate named “Australia’s sickest town”.
• The nourishment offered by the hospital’s milking cow.

Past and present staff are especially invited to celebrate this remarkable milestone. For more information call Delegate Multipurpose Service on 02 6459 8000.